Focusing On Success

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The Rams' Isaac Bruce Has Learned To Retain His Composure, Both On And Off The Field.

January 31, 2002|By Chris Perkins Staff Writer

NEW ORLEANS — In one way it has been a trying season for Isaac Bruce.

His brother, Jesse Jr., died of kidney failure during the summer, the same ailment that claimed his father's life 10 months earlier.

But in another way it has been quite a rewarding season for Bruce, the St. Louis Rams' Pro Bowl receiver and Dillard product.

Bruce, arguably the most complete receiver in the NFL, had another dazzling season in 2001. He had 64 receptions for 1,106 yards and six touchdowns to earn his sixth Pro Bowl berth in his eight-season career.

To get through the rough personal times, Bruce maintained his composure and kept a consistent demeanor.

It's what he has learned he has to do in life, and it's something that shows when he takes the field every week.

No matter the opponent, no matter the magnitude of the game, Bruce remains consistently outstanding.

"I don't want to be just a big-game receiver, because there are a lot of games leading up to that big game," Bruce said. "I feel like I can make plays in any game, the first game of the season or the preseason, as long as they keep me in. I believe I'm that type of receiver."

On Sunday, Bruce faces a New England Patriots secondary that includes cornerbacks Ty Law and Otis Smith and safeties Lawyer Milloy and Tebucky Jones in a rematch of the Nov. 18 game the Rams won 24-17, but remember very well.

"They're hard-nosed physical guys," Bruce said. "Ty Law, I feel, is one of the better corners in the league. Lawyer Milloy is a great player. It was pretty physical that first game, and I expect them to be physical and try to take shots at us."

For years people have been trying to take shots at Bruce.

But the 6-foot, 188-pound veteran from the University of Memphis has bounced right back up after every shot, literally and figuratively, and continued to produce.

In 1997, the shot came from former Rams coach Dick Vermeil, who called Bruce a "so-called superstar."

Bruce had been sidelined for much of the year with a hamstring problem and one day remarked his teammates hadn't been working hard enough.

Vermeil responded with his comment, but Bruce didn't let it get him down. He continued to work hard and keep his composure.

And although the hamstring problem persisted into the 1998 season, Bruce bounced back in 1999 to have the first of three consecutive Pro Bowl seasons.

The capper came in Super Bowl XXXIV when Bruce's 73-yard fourth-quarter touchdown pass from quarterback Kurt Warner turned out to be the game-winning tally in an exciting 23-16 finish.

"I have a tape of the game at home and if there is nothing on television, I pop that tape in and fast forward past everything up to that catch," Bruce said. "It was one of the best moments of my football career."

Most likely, Bruce will create some more lasting memories Sunday when he combines with fellow receivers Torry Holt, Ricky Proehl and Az-Zahir Hakim to form what is generally regarded as the NFL's best receiving crew.

"There's a lot of pride in giving the people what they paid to see," Bruce said.

Much in the same way that Bruce takes pride in being able to remain focused and produce consistently big numbers, even with other things going on in his life.

And when Bruce takes the field Sunday, he'll remember how perseverance has put him in such a position and helped him excel in his career.

"I look at it as six years of nothing," Bruce said of his NFL years, "then I get a Super Bowl ring, and now [for the second time in three years] I'm back in this position."